From "CHR" :
I would like to hear about some innovative and interesting corporate social responsibility initiates by large and small companies. Not the stuff where the company just donates something - but interesting ideas which have created an immediate or sustained change.
The discussion is inspired by something I bumped into. AOL. - they started an initiative where they would create a "creative" space for people - and people would just come in and create whatever they wanted to - draw, paint, sing, dance... anything.
Any other examples you know of?17th February 2011 From India, Gurgaon

# Blood donation camps within the company...as it was a BPO..all the young staff used to take participation...

# They were attached with an NGO where the company helped in building a school for the kids who cannot afford it. We provided PCs loaded with multimedia to help kids learn something new as well apart from the regular things...and it really helped...

# Regular trips for the kids to Company premises..in different batches....kind of a day picnic where they could interact with everyone.

# Every month Rs.100 to Rs.500/- was deducted from the salaries of the entire staff(Voluntary agreement)...and was given to the school for fee free studies of the underprivileged.

# Regular visits by our staff members to the school....for the purpose of showing them that their money is being utilised for a good cause.

# At the companies Annual function..these students used to give performances...such as skits, dance, song competition and many more.....and one of the student was in fact got a letter of invitation and scholarship from Indian film Industry.

In Wipro infotech at Gachibowli, Hyderabad some staff are going to nearby school and teaching spoken english to the rural children. Weekly three classes for 6 to 8th standard
Really I felt the wipro people are doing for the society. This is only real CSR.
I have conducted the CSR programme by donating furniture to a school, conducting medical camp to worker class people, conducted Aids awareness programme only at Hyderabad. Presently here I have organised a blood donation camp as a part of CSR Activity18th February 2011 From India, Kumbakonam

School-on-wheels: Springer one of the largest publisher for Science and Technological journals , sponsors a program called "School-on-wheels" for children at the construction sites , slum areas and other under-developed areas. This program offers a bus, books , teaching material and volunteers who teaches these students. Generally the volunteers are employees and interns to Springer. This program is governed by a NGO Called 'Door-Step school'. This NGO appoints volunteers to the areas that are identified to impart education. Crest , a Springer company based in Pune had printed and distributed books for the students. This program had been running for more than last three years.

Rain water Harvest Program: Electronic data system, used to run a program called Global volunteers . This would identify a sustainable project locally at every city EDS had their offices, across the globe. They used to promote these program to be run and managed by the employees and train them for it. It had arranged for a Rain water Harvest program in Pune . There were a group of employees who were trained on Rain water harvesting and did work on an area making it ready for cultivation. They further trained employees on rebuilding a school at the outskirts of the city. This program too, was completely managed by the employees who further donated books and computers .

At the University of Bolton, UK, students are encouraged to go to schools and teach kids. Also, some staff act as advisors to Young Enterprisers ( Welcome to Young Enterprise<link updated to site home>( Search On Cite | Search On Google ) ). A number of companies provide space to students to take part in the Young Enterprise Scheme, in addition to encouraging staff to act as advisors.
I know of some organisations, in India, helping plant trees, clean parks of unwanted plastic waste, etc.
I wonder if a scheme such as the YE can be started by CiteHr staff!!
Have a nice day.
Simhan
A retired academic in the UK18th February 2011 From United Kingdom

Hello..
Even our company (CPIL, KOTA) is into the same, few remarkable activities are:
1)Launched the free of cost Yog Training Programme
2)Blood Donation Camp
3)Tree Plantation activity
4)Water Saving Campaign (Presanted Nukkad Natak & Presentations in central locations of city for the same)
5)Gave encouragement to the impoverished sections of the society by their moral upliftment through candle lighting and distribution of gifts to them in one of the function Function which aimed at eradicating the disparity between the rich and the poor and created a ray of hope for weaker section of the society.
6)Donation to Polio Disease Victims for the treatment of their disease.
7)Adoption of circles and dividers of the city and taking responsibility of their maintenance.18th February 2011 From India, Jaipur

Most of the discussion is based on Charity/Philonthropy, CSR is far from this.
CSR must be based on sustainability parameter. Like HZL,Tata, they are doing work on this. At HZL, Rajasthan We are promoting more than 3000 SHGs women through various Income generation activities, 1000 farmers with modern agriculture practices,100% vaccination of animals, Vocational training and job to local unemployment youth, development of Local infrastructure work,Safe drinking parameter, Adoptation of ICDS center, Mid day Meal, Computer Education programme and so.We are running more than 50 project in the focus area like- Health & Hygiene, Education, Sustainable Livelihood,Social Mobilization,Infrastructure Work etc.
All above work is based on felt need of the community and its leads to overall quality of life of villagers19th February 2011 From India, Mumbai

Dear All,
The Corporate Social Responsibility is a very vast subject. It is like adoption of a village wherein all the basic amenities are provided by govt with limited resources. In other workds an organisatio would adopt a particular village and provide for Adult Education; Safe Drinking water; Flouride check; conducting Medical camps and give treatment; creation of awareness regarding HIV-Aids / Mal nutrition; Eye camps; Blood Donation; First Aid in Emergencyetc., Some organisatins also enourage self help Groups for women on their daily livelihood on Cottage; Tailoring;and other small business promotions and provide necessary financial help . They create seperate Annual Budgets for Corporate Social Responsibility.
Therre may be more than the above. We have done all these in our organiation.19th February 2011 From India, Hyderabad

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